McQ Squeaks Past Massena 2 - 1

In a contest dominated by fast skating and heavy hitting, the McQuaid Knight won their thirteenth game of the season in beating the Massena Red Raiders by a score of 2 - 1 at Genesee Valley Rink on January 23. The Knights hopes of capitalizing on the Red Raiders "bus legs" after their four and a half hour ride from the north country was quickly dissipated, then from the opening face off, the Raiders bum rushed the Knights into their end. The Knights were hapless as they repeated tried to swat the puck off their opponent's sticks. At 19 seconds, Mike Lashomb passed the puck to an undefended Nathan Pichette, who tucked the biscuit in behind freshman goalie Brian Burns.

The contest continued for some minutes with the ice tilted in the Red Raiders' favor, but the Knights fought back to gain control. The game appeared tied at about the ten minute mark, but was called back because of a dislodged net. With several more quality attempts, the Knights ended the first period with an 11 - 6 advantage in shots. The second period started with the Red Raiders down to players for penalties called at the close of the first stanza. The Knights were unable to convert on their advantage. Of note was a well crafted cycle run by the blue line, in the Massena blocker side corner, which ended with senior forward Adam Reask taking a point blank shot on Massena goaltender Joshua Holmes, who came up with a big stop.

But Massena was to be dogged by penalty calls in the period. At 2:45, Tim Doud was called for interference. On the ensuing power play, junior defenseman Andy Lane sent the puck into the corner, where senior forward Brent Sanderson passed to junior Woody Hudson, who snipped Homes on the short side. Just eight seconds later at 3:27, Red Raider Nick Pichette was called for interference. At 3:55, the blue line power play cashed in when Adam Reask also when short side on Holmes for a second tally. Assists went to linemates James Sturnick and Alex Pochodylo.

The Knights stumbled into their own penalty troubles starting at the six minute mark, but sophomore Sam Arazoza, seniors Jared Corso, Dan Burns, Sean Knightly, Pat Gerrie and junior Alex Pautler and the white and blue lines killed off successive penalties, often bottling up the Red Raider power play in their own end. On those occasions, when the Massena did set up in the Knights end, Brian Burns parried several difficult shots from the point to keep the Raiders off the scoreboard.

The dynamic of the third period changed dramatically, with Massena repeatedly on the attack. Once again Burns sparkled in the net, keeping Massena scoreless for the period. In total shots, the Knights edged Massena 31 to 30.